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Barren Island volcanism and seismicity: An intriguing finding

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Abstract

Barren Island volcano (BIV), India has started erupting vigorously from 2018 after a gap of 13 years (last active period 2004–2005) just after the 2004 tsunami. Although there is evidence of coupling between seismicity and earthquake in this region, it is not thoroughly researched. Here, we present satellite-based approach to monitor and understand the volcano dynamics w.r.t. associated seismicity at BIV using multispectral datasets, ~20 yrs Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) and ~70 yrs historical earthquake data (1950–2020 July). The rate of frequency of earthquake has increased to 3.54 times during 1990–2020 as compared with 1950–1989 which signifies seismicity-induced pressure release that may have caused decompression in the region, leading to eruptions or at least modulation of the eruption. The VRP results clearly depicted the changes from low to high thermal regimes that indicate switching from open-vent to effusive activity of Barren Island volcano. The historical data of recent times show correlation of seismic and volcanic activities. The spatial-temporal distributions of earthquake swarm are not associated with volcano, but are clustered near the tectonic regimes. The volcanic activity is preceded by seismic activity along the regional tectonic structures. In addition, the 2018 eruptive phase has been analyzed for better understanding of the proposed event. The present research has provided significant supportive evidences to give adequate credence to this emerging hypothesis and also revealed the location of primary, secondary vents, flow tracts and all evolving volcanic landforms of the region and recorded the changes in flow directions. Further, for a comprehensive risk assessment of the region, volcanism, seismicity, and coastal dynamics along with crustal deformation need to be considered.

Research highlights

  • The study has analyzed the eruption of Barren Island volcano and associated regional seismic activity from a Multi-Hazard perspective using satellite as well as field-based observations.

  • These results provided stronger supportive evidences for coupling seismicity and volcanic eruptions at Barren Island volcano for the first time in this region and open up new vistas for research in this direction.

    The understanding of these two natural phenomena is very much needed for better preparedness with respect to disaster risk mitigation and management.

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(adopted from Curray 2005) showing very complex tectonic regime with both compression (subduction), expansion and strike-slip movement along Sunda Fault (Sumatra Fault System). Abbreviations: Ba: Barren Island, Na: Narcondam Island, DF: Diligent Fault, EMF: Eastern Margin Fault, SEU: Seulimeum Fault, SFS: Sumatra Fault System, WAF: West Andaman Fault, WSR: West Sewell Ridge.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for the DST INSPIRE fellowship {(DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/2018/IF180050)} to carry out this research work. Special thanks to Diego Coppola and team for providing the VRP values of BIV. We would like to also thank Secretary, DST, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and Shri Rishikesh, Scientific Officer for their local support and clearance. We sincerely thank the Director General, Indian Coast Guard, New Delhi for his permission and assistance to carry out field work on Barren Island. We also thank the Commander, Coast Guard Region, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, and Commandant Ashok K Bhama (Regional Operations and Plans Officer), Port Blair for providing ship time, manpower and other logistic support during our trip. We appreciate the invaluable support of ICGS Rajveer vessel crew.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing-ISRO, 4 Kalidas Road, Dehradun, Uttarkhand, 248 001, India

    Goutham Krishna Teja Gunda, Prashant Kumar Champati Ray, Mamta Chauhan & Prakash Chauhan

  2. Pondicherry University, Brookshabad, Port Blair, South Andaman, 744 101, India

    S Balaji

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  1. Goutham Krishna Teja Gunda
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  2. Prashant Kumar Champati Ray
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Contributions

GGKT: Conceptualization, methodology, field investigation and original drafting. PKCR: Supervision, writing and reviewing. MC: Reviewing and editing. PC: Reviewing and SB: Local support.

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Correspondence to Goutham Krishna Teja Gunda.

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Communicated by Arkoprovo Biswas

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Gunda, G.K.T., Ray, P.K.C., Chauhan, M. et al. Barren Island volcanism and seismicity: An intriguing finding. J Earth Syst Sci 130, 162 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01624-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01624-z

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